Ojinjinの日記

A septuagenarian going alone

9 - My third day in Paris

This time I got on the metro Line no. 2 from Blanche as before to take one of RER (Réseau Express Régional – a network of suburban Lines designated A to E) Lines at Gare du Nord. I wanted to visit Jardin du Luxembourg, where, needless to say, I planned to play on my shackhachi flute as I took it for granted that whoever wanted to play music could do so there.
So, getting off at Port-Royal on RER Line B, I went out of the station to find myself lost soon. I was walking in the other direction than toward the Jardin. I soon realized it and asked a middle aged couple with a children who happened to come my way.
The man I asked replied in English right away, “Go back and you’ll find it on your right.” Again I was a bit impressed by his ready response in English. French people are real good at speaking English.
I went into the Jardin, walked past an elaborate fountain and saw some people enjoying playing table tennis and kids kicking balls. I went through the lane lined with trees then I came upon another gate inside the Jardin, which made me wonder why but I had to go on walking anyway and arrived at a place where there were many people, obviously tourists marveling at the grand palace in all its glory. I avoided the crowd and wandered off in search of some place where it would be suitable to play on my flute. During my search I came across interesting people, who were engaging in Yoga, Zen, or practicing Tai Chi or Karate like martial arts, even some were clad in armor and helmet like ancient warriors. I kept on looking for my place and strolling past tennis courts found an area placed with simple chairs and tables sparsely occupied.